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Benny Laguna (23) protects the ball with the goal line in sight with Reynaldo Martinez (80) and Javier Tamayo (4) come in with the block to help. Carolina Gomez | SMHS
Julian Rodriguez (33) running with football out distancing the Hayden players.
Carolina Gomez | SMHS
San Manuel Miner
Three first half touchdowns and strong defensive performance led the Jr. Miners to a 20 – 0 shutout victory over the Jr. Lobos last Tuesday.
The Jr. Miners defense accounted for the first points of the game when Rey Martinez returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown.
Julian Rodriguez scored the Jr. Miners second touchdown of the game, scoring on a 40-yard in the second quarter. Benny Laguna converted the 2-point PAT to make the score 14 – 0.
Laguna finished the scoring, running two yards up the middle for a touchdown to give the Jr. Miners a comfortable 20 – 0 halftime lead.
The defense preserved the shutout in the second half.
The Jr. Miners’ defense did not allow an opponent to score in any of the three home games this season.
The Jr. Miners closed out their regular season on Tuesday at Superior.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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